One Book, One College: Light
By Quest Dobbelaire, 11/1/19
This past Thursday, October 31st, ICC East Peoria Campus Library hosted the One Book, One College seminar based on light from the book “How We Got to Now”, led by our very own professor of photography, Chris Gauthier.
The lecture opened up with the scientific breakdown of what light is, and in detail explained the electromagnetic spectrum. Those in attendance learned the difference between and examples of microwaves, infrared, gamma, UV, and visible light.
Once the concept of light was explained, Professor Gauthier went on to explain the behavioral impacts that light has had on humanity, since the beginning of our existence. He explains that humans have a knack for seeing in the dark, but the worst daylight/color vision of any organism in the animal kingdom. He also comments that naturally, we are not biologically programmed to sleep 8+ hours straight, and some sleep-deprived students found comfort in this fact.
Gauthier then segued to the development of candles and how that changed our nocturnal behaviors, and how light bulbs eventually replaced candles. A larger portion of the conclusion was focused around camera technology and developments, and how photography was used to change and impact society.
The last two One Book, One College events are November, Monday the 11th, with Dr. Aaron James at 11:30 AM in L307 (East Peoria Campus), and the last discussion of the semester will be held Tuesday, December 3 at 1 PM at the Arbor Auditorium on the Peoria Campus with Chef Charles Robertson over cleanliness. Please come join in the fun and informative meetings this semester!
For more of our coverage of the One Book, One College series, read Quest’s article about Brian Weaver’s lecture on the innovations in heating and cooling: